Goodbye Copenhagen!

The time has come. In a few short hours, I will be on my way to the airport and heading home to San Francisco. I can't believe it has already been five months since I first arrived in Europe...time has flown by. Yesterday, as I was looking through my photos of this experience and reminiscing about all the fond memories, I came to realize just how much I am going to miss this city and everyone I met.

I've compiled two lists of things I will and will not miss about Copenhagen. I will start with the latter.

Things I will not miss about Copenhagen:
-The cold and rainy weather
-The dark winter (now, we get roughly 6 hours of daylight per day)
-My tiny kitchenette (which doesn't have an oven)
-Dusting my floors every other day
-The terrible showers (there's no tub or step in, so water gets all over the floor)
-Hang drying my clothes
-The dorm sized fridge
-Lack of toilet seat covers in all public restrooms



Things I will miss about Copenhagen:
-Hygge (you should look it up, it would take forever for me to explain)
-Quiet chatter (people are respectful and don't talk loudly on their cell phones or to others in public)
-Biking around the city, (It quickly became my main form of transportation. The bike culture here is amazing; nearly everyone bikes all year round, bikers are respected and have their own lanes, and cars always yield to bikers)
- Fitness dk and their workout classes, I'll definitely miss those.
-Exploring the city and traveling around Europe (it is so convenient and fun. I have learned so much by visiting other European cities, it makes me want to see more places in the US)

...But more than anything, I am going to miss all of the great people I met and spent my time with over the course of the semester. I had to say goodbye to all of my closest friends tonight (we had a late afternoon tea and cookies get-together at Keops today. Yesterday, Anna, Sarah, and I had afternoon tea at a cute cafe in Norrebro called Retro and that night the Keops group had a potluck dinner). I hate saying goodbye and to know that we will never all be in the same place at the same time ever again is tough for me to come to terms with. Even though I won't be with them, I will still hold on to all of the fond memories we had, and those last a lifetime. It sounds cheesy, but it's true. The photos I took during my time in Copenhagen will always remind me of some of the best times I have had so far in my life. I can't thank them enough for making my time here unforgettable. Having great friends to share your adventures with is what makes everyday on exchange (and in life) something to always remember.

And one day, I will visit Australia, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany to see my friends again...one day. Until that time, Skype will suffice.

Oh and one more thing before I head off, I'd like to acknowledge my parents for allowing me this once in a lifetime opportunity. Without their constant support and steadfast love, I wouldn't be on exchange experiencing new cultures, making friends from all over the world, and living in a foreign country. They are my motivation and inspiration, my role models and best friends. Thank you, Papa and Mama for everything you have done for me over the course of my entire life. I will never forget the wonderful months that I have spent here and I have you both to thank for that. I love you.


Well...until we meet again, vi ses, Copenhagen!